Degenerative and dystrophic changes in the tissues of the vertebrae and intervertebral discs, as well as the clinical symptoms associated with these processes, are called osteochondrosis.Consider the main causes and methods of treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
Causes of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
- Heredity.
Damaged or mutated genes responsible for normal bone growth are inherited.Therefore, the risk of osteochondrosis increases significantly if there are people in the family who suffer from this disease. - Sedentary lifestyle.
In this case, long-term and excessive loading of the spine is important, which leads to the compression of the vertebrae and the development of the disease.This is more common among computer workers and drivers. - Vascular pathology.
Any disease of the vessels supplying blood to the spinal column, which causes the insufficient supply of nutrients to the vertebral tissues, leads to the appearance of degenerative and dystrophic changes in them. - Metabolic disorders in the body.
Most often, diabetes mellitus leads to changes in blood vessels that disrupt tissue trophism.In addition, direct changes in the vertebral tissue are possible in the case of disorders of phosphorus-calcium metabolism, pathologies of the thyroid and parathyroid glands, and diseases of the adrenal cortex. - Infections and poisonings.
Inflammatory processes occurring in the tissues of the vertebrae and discs, which are caused by viruses, bacteria or their toxins, can also lead to the development of osteochondrosis. - Overweight.
Constant overloading of the spine leads to compression of the intervertebral discs, which leads to the subsequent development of the processes underlying osteochondrosis. - Bad nutrition.
A lack of microelements (such as calcium), a lack of vitamins (D3) can also lead to disruption of the body's metabolic processes and the development of bone and cartilage tissue pathology. - Age-related changes in bone and cartilage tissue.
As age progresses, degenerative changes occur in the thoracic spine, which leads to compression of the intervertebral discs.In old age and old age, the muscular framework of the spine also weakens. - Injuries of the thoracic spine.
Bruises and fractures of the vertebral arches due to a fall or car accident are not so rare.At the same time, the anatomical changes of the vertebrae and the surrounding tissues are the direct causes of the development of the pathological process, which is the cause of osteochondrosis. - Scoliosis
"School" pathology, which develops in children of educational institutions where health-saving technologies are not used, occurs mainly in the thoracic spine.The curvature of the spine noticeably changes the load on certain segments of the spine, which causes the development of osteochondrosis. - Sports and occupational hazards.
Sports stress (e.g. weightlifters), as well as work involving heavy lifting, frequent changes in body position (turns, bending and stretching, jerking movements) can also cause permanent pathological changes in the spine.In addition, long-term uncomfortable positions in standing, sitting, lying down, lifting and carrying heavy objects, or during other work that increases the pressure on the discs and the load on the spine as a whole, can also lead to osteochondrosis. - Other triggers and risks of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.
Spinal overload associated with foot diseases, as well as wearing uncomfortable shoes, wearing high-heeled shoes and pregnancy in women, sudden cessation of regular training by professional athletes, and finally, nervous strain and stressful situations.
Symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
All symptoms of the disease can be divided into reflex and compression.
Reflex symptoms
The mechanism of their appearance is the irritation of the receptors of the intervertebral ligaments, the capsules of the intervertebral joints and the receptors of the intervertebral discs.Irradiation (spread) of the irritation to adjacent segments of the spinal cord can lead to the appearance of various symptoms.
Here are the main ones: chest pain, abdominal or heart pain, tension in the chest muscles, vegetative symptoms from the internal organs.The pain is always sharp, patients describe it as a stabbing.The place of pain is the area between the shoulder blades, the pain can radiate to the area around the heart and the sternum.
It may be difficult for the patient to move or take deep breaths.In osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, reflex symptoms are much more common than compression symptoms.
Compression symptoms
Compression symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine are caused by compression or stretching of the nerve roots in the area where it exits the intervertebral foramen.The main ones are: muscle weakness symmetrically in both legs, decreased sensitivity in them, "radicular" pain in the back and chest.The pain is "shooting", can be felt in the chest and abdomen, and increases with movement, bending of the body, coughing, sneezing, and laughing.A feeling of "crawling", numbness and tingling appears.With the development of the pathology, movement disorders and muscle atrophy may occur.Muscle tone increases, the sensitivity of the lower limbs decreases, and urination disorders may occur.
Other autonomic symptoms of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Autonomic symptoms of osteochondrosis are due to the fact that nerve fibers from the thoracic spine contain autonomic conductors;irritation or damage to these fibers can cause autonomic symptoms.The main ones are: peeling and dry skin in the innervation zone of the compressed nerve, local disturbance of sweating and thermoregulation (also according to the innervation zone), brittle toenails, pain simulating the pathology of the gastrointestinal tract (gastritis, gastric ulcer, cholecystitis), pain in the lower back, pain in the heart.
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Treatment of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine should be comprehensive (using a combination of medicinal and non-medicinal methods), individual and systemic.
Drug treatment methods of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
The main goal of these methods is to eliminate pain, muscle tension, improve microcirculation and tissue trophism.For this purpose, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to reduce inflammation, eliminate pain and muscle tension.These funds are prescribed for an average of 7-14 days.Local anesthetic applications are prescribed.In case of insufficient effect of non-steroidal analgesics, an analgesic mixture is used.The mixtures are administered intravenously with saline or glucose.Paravertebral blocks provide rapid pain relief by injecting a pain reliever into the soft tissue of the perivertebral areas.
To relieve the pain of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine, topically irritating and distracting ointments are used.
Muscle tension is relieved with drugs such as muscle relaxants.
Antiplatelet agents and nicotinic acid are used to normalize blood circulation and improve tissue nutrition.
They also use drugs that improve metabolism in the intervertebral discs and joints - chondroprotectors.
Non-drug treatments
Diet in osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine.Completely excluded from the diet: salt, hot spices, preparations containing vinegar and salt, semi-finished products, sugar (can be replaced with honey), coffee and carbonated drinks.Allowed: legumes, eggplant, cheese, dairy products, lettuce, cabbage, cottage cheese, bananas, liver, carrots, melons, seafood, cereals, fresh vegetables and fruits, herbs, seeds and berries.
The complex treatment program for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine includes: manual therapy, classical massage, acupressure, reflex-segmental massage, physical therapy, torsion techniques (stretching), acupuncture, swimming, physiotherapy methods (electrophoresis, ultrasound, amplipulse, diodynamic currents and others, mudetc.).
Traditional treatment methods for osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
Aggravation of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine is an indication for treatment under the strict supervision of a doctor.Home and folk remedies should never be used blindly without a doctor's permission.The following can be used as additional treatment to alleviate the patient's condition:
- Tinctures and decoctions.
- Tincture of lingonberry leaves.Take 1 tablespoon of cranberry leaves, pour 0.25 liters of boiling water and let it brew for 2 hours.Drink half a glass in the morning and evening for 3 weeks.
- Parsley root decoction.Grind 50 g of parsley root, add 0.5 liters of water and simmer over low heat for an hour and a half.Take 1 tablespoon in the morning and in the evening for 3 weeks.
- Tincture of nettle and honey.Squeeze the juice from the freshly picked nettle, mix it with honey and medical alcohol in equal proportions.Leave it in a cold place for 14 days and consume one tablespoon in the morning on an empty stomach for 2 weeks.
- Yarrow tincture with mint, licorice and calendula.Mix a tablespoon of yarrow and 2 tablespoons of mint, licorice and calendula, pour 1 liter of boiling water, let it cook for 7-8 hours.Take 50 ml three times a day for 3 weeks.
- Rubbing.
- Radishes and honey infused with vodka.Grate the radish, mix equal parts with honey and add 50 ml of vodka.Use this preparation to rub the area of pain.
- Pork fat and hops.Mix a tablespoon of melted pork fat cooled to room temperature with the same amount of ground hops.Rub the resulting preparation on the affected area.
- Pork fat and propolis.Melt 150 g of pork fat, add 30 g of propolis and mix thoroughly.It is best to rub the skin at night.After the procedure, your back should be wrapped with a warm cloth.
- Ginger and garlic.Fry the chopped ginger and garlic with the addition of butter until a homogeneous paste is obtained.Rub the resulting mixture on the painful area.
- With oregano oil.Mix 1 tablespoon of oregano and 0.2 liters of olive oil.Leave the mixture for 10 hours, then strain and rub the painful areas of the back.
Prognosis of osteochondrosis of the thoracic spine
The prognosis is generally favorable, complications related to this form of the disease are rare.It is worth paying attention to the timely diagnosis of the disease, the exclusion of other pathologies of the chest organs, as well as the comprehensive treatment and adequate prevention of the exacerbation of osteochondrosis.